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Sunday, 23 July 2017

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 291 and 292

Crumbs, so where did THAT two weeks go to then? It time for a new fortnightly challenge in the Snippets Playground folks!
As always, a huge thank you to everyone who came to play this past
fortnight.

Let's get straight in - here's my snippets card for the coming fortnight
- trying out a couple of new things along the way:

I used:

- white card blank made using Strathmore Mixed Media Vellum surface 300gsm paper (at 300 gsm it's very sturdy card in fact, and I used it as it's 'a very slightly off-white all of its own' - I wanted all the bits of off- white to be from the same shade (OCD once again!)

- a snippet of the Mixed Media card, which I coloured using the fabulous TH Distress Oxides that arrived here the week before last. I used the pads straight onto the card - just some daubs here and there, heat drying in between colours and then added more colour into any bare patches here and there using a sponge applicator - colours used were 'Broken China', 'Faded Jeans' and 'Iced Spruce'

- next, sprayed the inked up piece of card using a Mini Mister, which produced lovely water marks and heat dried again - then did a happy dance :)

- for the top layer of the card I die cut a snippet of the white Mixed Media card using my much loved MFT 'Stitched Cover-Up Companion - Diagonal die, and set it aside

- then I stamped a hibiscus flower and two leaves using stamps from the Clearly Besotted 'Aloha' set. Stamped them using VersaMark and then heat embossed using Ranger 'Liquid Platinum' embossing powder

- next I coloured the leaves and flower using my (a second outing only!) Ziggys and fussy cut round them leaving a narrow white border

- now I could check exactly where the word 'Aloha' from the same set ought to be positioned on the band across the die cut - did this using the Misti and a small piece of acetate on top of the die cut, which is printed with lines/squares for alignment. Held it in place on the Misti with magnets and once the 'Aloha' stamp was stuck to the Misti lid it was just a matter of whipping the acetate away and leaving the die cut panel in place ready for stamping

- again, I stamped using VersaMark and then heat embossed using Ranger 'Liquid Platinum' embossing powder

- finally, it was just a case of assembling all the pieces to make up the card itself. I used red line tape to adhere the Distress Oxide panel to the back of the die cut frame, glued the backed frame onto the card front and used more red line tape to attach the leaves and flower

My original intention was to use a Distress Oxides panel of orange tones I'd already made but it looked much too 'samey'. Thankfully I'd been playing and had a few pieces in different colours - the blue is more like the sea and sky in Hawaii :) So says my in-house critic anyhow!

Certainly I'm really pleased with the Distress Oxides, such luscious, creamy and rich colours - although I do need much more practice at one of the other techniques which is so popular right now. Inking onto my craft mat, spraying with water and then 'smooshing' - sigh. I have a sneaky suspicion I was too liberal with the water - but am delighted at the 'apply straight to the card and then spray' approach! I need to check out Loll's videos!

Once again, no need to really spell out what this fortnight's prize is made up of, although funds wouldn't run to TH Distress Oxides I'm afraid - but if you live in the UK Joanna Sheen has the original set of 12 selling at £49.99, which is about a £16 saving. So here's the prize:

It's is a MFT 'Stitched Cover-Up Companion - Diagonal die (I first used mine here in May, then ran off and bought one for the toy box - and it can be used either way round depending how much space you want above or below the 'banner strip'), plus the Clearly Besotted 'Aloha' stamps set. I love that the stamps come with three sizes of flower and two sizes of leaves - just perfect for making up a little montage of flowers :) And, when I Googled, I was stunned at how many colours of hibiscus there are in real life - absolutely tons of them! I will split the die and the complete (obviously) set of stamps if you only wish to play for one or the other.

The Snippets Challenge will run for two weeks from now on and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time
on Saturday 5th August. The gates will open again at
midnight UK time on the same day.

It's still a maximum of ONE entry and please say in a comment if you wish to play and be a possible winner of the prize.
The prize is both items together as a single prize, unless you really
do only want to try for a 'split' - in which case
I'd do a further draw for the other item. Please also link
back to the Playground
in
your blog post to be eligible for the draw.

Remember, if you link into the Playground and don't say clearly that
you're wanting to be in the draw then you will be bypassed if your name
comes out of Mr Linky. I'm sure you all know I ask for a positive 'yes'
just in case you're playing only for fun. Thanks!

Mr Linky is below - please let me know if you have any problems linking,
it's easy for me to sort out so don't struggle on alone :)

Be sure to call back next week to see the winner of last fortnight's
prize (Concord & 9th 'Heartstrings' die set and the MFT 'Label Maker Sentiments' set of stamps) plus my
picks from the past two
weeks - hopefully as well as another lovely guest designer too!

85 comments:

Hi Miss Di, a lovely summery card, love the background you created on the vellum and the flower looks so pretty. Have a wonderful weekend, I hope to play along with the rest of the class this fortnight... have a wonderful weekend... Megan

I can't believe I'm first into the playground this week! Your card is absolutely gorgeous, so I'm definitely playing for the prize! I've not tried Distress oxides yet, is it the reaction with water that makes them different from normal distress inks? Jane

Yes indeedy, it's a bit of the reaction as they're a 'mix of water-reactive dye and pigment ink fusion' - according to Ranger who make them. That means they keep their richness whereas the normal Distress inks tend to look quite watery by comparison. Also, they're so smooth - and I believe they stamp sentiments perfectly (not tried that one yet). x

Oh what a great card, Di! Beautiful colors & design--love the flower! So far I'm holding off on the DO--no place to put them here--haha! I really like the look of the MFT die, so will just play for it this time.

What a gorgeous card Di...your direct background is stunning and works so well with the flowers..beautiful! I'm so pleased you caved in to the D'Oxides...they are a game changers in my books. I am waiting for 4 of the 2nd release to arrive. The wrinkle free technique..or smooching as peeps now seem to call it...is really easy. Just add a good push of ink,making sure you use a "proper" heat/craft mat (this is really important..ie not glass etc) add enough water to create little droplets on the ink and you are good to go. Make sure you dry between layers too! You need to build up the layers rather than try for a 1 off. It's a fab prize please put me into the hat! I hope the sun returns we're off to S'ton and will wave to you.Have a lovely Sunday and thanks as always. Hugs xx

So interesting to read your comment about using a 'proper' craft mat for using the DOX inks - I've been using my glass mat and wasn't really getting the results I expected although mostly usable with a few tweaks. Blogs are great for gathering information and inspiration

Hi Val, I wonder if you'll hop back and see this - I'll try to remember to leave a comment on your card when I 'do the rounds' later on. Woodware do a brown silicon coated roll up craft mat that pops into a tube when not in use and takes up very little storage space. Like you, I have a glass mat (by Tonic Studios) to protect my desk as well as being invaluable for alignment etc with the grids! But, I haven't been doing as many layers as Jane suggests in the 'smooshing' so will revisit the pieces I kept from the abortive attempts! :) x

Forgot to say - I do use the silicon coated mat for 'smooshing'!! :) Joanna Sheen stocks this one: https://www.joannasheen.com/craft-supplies/hot-stuff-mat/ It's the same size as mine so is probably a Woodware product :) When you use it place it upside down and pop a ruler on either side as it will tend to curl up.

Thanks so much Di and yes I did pop back and see this. I tried one quick piece using a brown non stick roll up mat which I've had a while and also tried with an unused smallish cutting mat which was loitering. Good results with both but the cutting mat was best but of course more difficult to clean afterwards. Certainly better than using the glass mat.

Thanks Val - I wonder if it's due to the most successful mat having just that little bit more of 'hold' - if that makes sense?! Ha, and I have one the same here but do I risk the cleaning up? Tee, hee - not YET! xx

I'm so glad to help...it really is important not to use a glass mat for any of the wet techniques, as Tim Holtz says the mat is am important craft tool and you will not get the effect using other surfaces! I craft on a base of a glass mat but all my inky work uses a Woodware craft mat as I have found this as good as the ranger one and is a bit bigger. I haven't looked at the J Sheen one but it sounds fine. Crafty hugs xxx

I really like your Aloha card, with that great background, pretty flower, and silver sentiment that really grabs the eye! Yes please to the draw this week! I'd love to CASE this card :) Thanks to for the links to Loll's videos. I'm a beginner with these oxide inks but I love playing with them!

Your card is wonderful and your inking is so fab.Love the flower and your inked background as it sure looks like the sea too.Such a very wonderful die cut and such a super stamped flower.Good luck to everyone that enters, and thank you Di for the chance to win such a lovely prize.Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

I love this diagonal cover up die and what a pretty hibiscus flower over the top and beautifully coloured Di. The background is fabulous with the oxide inks too, a really summery creation. I would love to be in the draw for just the die please as I have several hibiscus stamps already so won't be greedy...lol. x

I should have my card ready to enter by tomorrow and I admit that I was greatly influenced by your gorgeous hibiscus flower card, Di ! That being the case, I guess I'll have to play along for either of the prizes this week, since I love dies of all shapes and sizes and since I'd also love to have the flower stamps. But I'm also happy to split the prize so that someone else gets to enjoy being a winner, too. :-D

Fabulous card Di, super background and love the choice of colour for the flower, looks really great against the blue.When I finally get round to finishing my card, sounds as though it is complicated but it is not it is just that there is a bare patch and I don't know what to do with it, I would very much like to be entered into the draw for a chance to win these prizes.

ooh this is gorgeous and you've given me an idea. I have been playing with ink on vellum and have a piece that I did not know what to do with - but now with your help I have an idea! Thanks for the inspiration.

Hope you are well. Beautiful card, Di. Love the colours. Great work with the DOx inks. My card used them too, but not as advanced as you. I need more practice using them. 😂And yes, count me in for the prize pack please. Have a great day!

Hi Di. I am sure I have commented on this card already but it seems to have disappeared. I am interested in the oxide inks though I have so far resisted yet another new lot of inks, but I really like the backgrounds I have seen that are made with them. Your flower is beautiful. I have the usual red hibiscus in my garden, but also a pink frilly one and one that is bright yellow with a deep red centre. They are all beautiful, just like your's is.. I'd love the chance to win this week's prize please. Kate xx

Lovley card Miss. Like your reply to Kathleen just make sure you don't pick up the bird seed by mistake! Finally managed to make a card with a snippet. Yes please, stick me in the pot for the prize. hugs Mrs A.

Aloha Miss Pixie! I hope you and Mr Len are well, and not forgetting Parsnip either. I love Hibiscus flowers and nearly all dies too, lol, so yes please for the prize, it would help me remember warm summer days when the winter hits. Love your Rudolph Days cards too! Thank you Di, for all your hard work too Karen x

Oh Di, your tropical card is just gorgeous! I absolutely love the combo of blue Oxide inks and that orange hibiscus. Yes please to this unique die and lovely stamp set...I can almost feel the ocean breezes!

A lovely card Di and I have to say that I do get that longing feeling every time I see the Distress Oxides used, they're fab. I don't often have many snippets on my cards but I've got a fair few on this one so I thought I'd join you. Yes please to the die and stamp set and good luck to all. Crafty hugs, Sandra x

Hi Di, hope it was gentle happy dance when the result of the Oxides showed forth!! :D looking after that back of course. All my cards used snippets, the tissue paper was actually screwed up scraps from present wrapper drawer, it didn't flatten as well as some but was only bit I had. Texture is good : DLove and adore totally fabby Die set and the stamp oooh I love hibiscus, soooo all hand sup saying yesss please.Waaay tired so won't chat long,Hugs and prayers for zeee back. Shaz.x xxxxxxxx Ps and hugs to Parsnip. Agree re blue with in house critic too.

Your card is beautiful - the Oxide background is awesome and looks so cool behind the fabulous die and the flowers are so pretty! Yes Please to being entered into the draw for the awesome prize! Hugs xxxxxxx

Finally back into the swing of things and ready to enter a card. Nearly never got it made as I got hit in a stores parking lot while we were parked and now have whiplash! Uggh. But making this card made me feel happy to get something done! lolYes please to the prize.

Beautifully created card Di...love the light and airy look and the flower is gorgeous, and the Aloha word is gorgeous as well. Looks like another die I will have to add to my 'must have' list (wont be the first time I have purchased a die after seeing it for the first time here)! I entered your last challenge...sort of..lol...I forgot to add my card to the challenge...so funny!! Thank you and I will say YES to the prizes as how can I resist!

What a beautiful card you made Di, and those Distress Oxide inks are so beautiful. I am having some trouble linking up my card to the challenge and have emailed you for help! Yes please to the lovely prize.

Aloha Di, your card is beautiful. I love the background and the flower is gorgeous. I've not acquired any Oxides yet but it's only a matter of time before I succumb. I'm just playing for the fun of it so please count me out for the draw. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

Oops, I thought I'd already left you a comment but can't see one so I must have had a senior moment! LOVE your card with that background and gorgeous colour... I'm still resisting the temptation to buy but not sure how much longer I'll last! Fabulous prizes but I'm only playing for fun this time xx

You are leading me astray. The more I see of the Distress Oxides the more I like the effects. I dare say I'll cave in soon enough though I really don't need any more craft stuff. It's such a pretty delicate background. x

Beautiful card Di, love the bright flower against the oxides background. Think they are creeping higher up my wish list - to be honest I've not had a great deal of success with the distress inks, always a bit wishy - washy if you know what I mean. The oxides look a bit bolder, perhaps I should try them instead. Just playing for fun this time, really chuffed that I made it to The Playground this week, it's been too long!! I'm off to the swings .. Hugs Jacky xP.S. Glad I'm not the only one with OCD about matching whites - who knew there were sooo many white shades, perhaps we could've got jobs with Daz???

I don't normally wear a flower in my hair ...

..........just when I find one decorating a cocktail!

Welcome to my little workshop

I'm Diane (Di to most people), retired and I live in Hampshire, UK, with my beloved - and long suffering - partner (OH). The name Pixie's Crafty Workshop came about because my OH refers to 'The pixie being hard at work' whenever I'm playing with paper or other crafty stuff. And he's right, it's mostly when I should be doing other things :) I've always loved paper crafting - especially using scissors. Aged five and laid up with measles, in a fit of boredom I chopped my fringe right off! If it can be trimmed, then I'll trim it!

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I hope you like what you see here, and I would be delighted to see you picking up some ideas. However, please don't directly copy my designs for publication or contest submission.Thanks!